Huntington Bank officials announced today during a press conference with Gov. Rick Snyder that they are well ahead of schedule on a commitment to lend $2 billion to small and midsize Michigan businesses.

The four-year lending commitment was announced at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference in June.

Jim Dunlap, president of Huntington's West Michigan operations, said the bank already has made more than $800 million in loans to about 1,300 businesses.

The loan program was part of a state thrust that Snyder calls "economic gardening." It includes the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and a broad range of businesses known as Pure Michigan Business Connect.